DOW seeks info about hatchery break-in

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is seeking information about a break-in that occurred Nov. 23 – Thanksgiving Day – at the Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility west of Alamosa.
     
DOW officials said that someone entered the facility and removed some fish species from tanks and raceways. Two of the fish species – the Colorado Pikeminnow and the Bonytail Chub – are listed as endangered by the United State Fish and Wildlife Service. Fines for harming those species can be $10,000 or more per fish.
     
The facility is working to restore 11 species of warm-water fish and the boreal toad that are all native to Colorado.
     
Facility staffers are attempting to determine how many fish were removed.
     
Anyone who has information about this incident are asked to call Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648; the Monte Vista DOW office at (719)587-6900; or the Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office at (719)589-6608.